Manchester to Mumbai route will unlock £400m of economic benefits for the region

Jet Airways’ five-times-a-week service took off for the first time this week, at a celebration attended by Aviation Minister, Baroness Liz Sugg and hundreds of guests from across the region.

The route will unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of trade, investment and tourism benefits, according to a report released to coincide with the launch.

It follows a sustained push from Manchester Airport and regional partners to establish the first ever link between the North of England and Mumbai, driven by the increasing economic ties between the two regions and increasingly strong demand to travel between them.

The study, called The Northern Powerhouse and India: Unlocking the Opportunity, predicts an economic boost to the North of at least £400m in the next five years.

It describes the North as the “ideal collaborator” with India, with its strengths in areas like digital, advanced manufacturing and energy perfectly aligning with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic priorities.

Aviation Minister, Baroness Liz Sugg said: “Connections like the one being launched today are key to Britain’s economic future and will help to drive economic growth and trade both here in Manchester and right across the North. Co-operation, trade and tourism with India is set to grow over the coming years, and we are committed to helping build the linkswe need now, so that all areas of the UK can be well placed to make the most of that growing relationship”.

Jet Airways will fly from Manchester to Mumbai on a Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will operate on an A330-200, with 254 seats acrossPremière (business) and economy classes.

India is the UK’s seventh largest trade partner in goods outside of Europe and third largest exporter of services to the UK.

Its current economic growth (7-8% per annum) has seen foreign direct investment into the UK create around 6,000 new jobs. That is why securing a direct service was a long-term priority for both Manchester Airport and the region, leading to the formation of an award-winning public/private body, the Manchester India Partnership (MIP), earlier this year.

The MIP was launched in both the UK and India earlier this year and is chaired by Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan, who explains: “The launch of this service is an important moment for Manchester Airport and the wider region.

“India is one of the world’s most important markets and this route will unlock huge opportunities for economic and cultural collaboration with the North.

“It underlines the importance of direct connectivity, which helps businesses export their goods and services, attracts investors to the UK and encourages tourism in both directions.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Jet Airways and all those involved with the Manchester India Partnership for making this long-held ambition a reality.”

Naresh Goyal, Chairman of the airline, said: “We are happy to be the first airline to offer a non-stop, premium service between Mumbai and Manchester. The UK is a very important destination for Jet Airways and with the addition of Manchester we hope to make a further contribution to boosting tourism and trade between the two countries.”

Jet announced its Manchester-Mumbai route in May as a four-times-a-week service. Demand has been so strong, the airline increased its frequency to five-times-a-week before it had even launched, with the first flights leaving Manchester fully occupied.

This reflects the powerful role the service will play in facilitating trade, investment and other economic activity between the two locations.

The Unlocking the Opportunity report, published by the Manchester India Partnership, said the route will enable at least £300m of trade and investment benefits, as more Northern businesses start exporting and a raft of fast-growing Indian firms are encouraged to set up bases here, creating more than 2,000 jobs in the process.

The report’s findings were welcomed by Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, who said: “As we look to build a balanced and globally competitive UK economy, our links with high growth markets like India will be critical.

“That is why direct connectivity provided through routes like Jet Airways’ Manchester-Mumbai service are so important. The service will help us attract more visitors and investors to the UK, as well as opening up trade and collaboration opportunities for businesses and universities across the North.

“My international economic department has a range of support available to businesses looking to make the most of the new flight route, including finance through our award-winning export credit agency, UK Export Finance, and market advice from our in-country HM Trade Commissioner, Crispin Simon.”

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, added “The first direct flights from Manchester to Mumbai are fantastic news for the Northern Powerhouse. This new gateway between the North of England and India will deepen relations worth £18bn between our two countries and open up the Northern Powerhouse to millions of tourists. This new direct route connects the North to one of the fastest growing and most dynamic economies on the planet, enriching ties between two international cities. It also supports our vision for a super-connected global North bringing the Northern Powerhouse to the world and the world to the Northern Powerhouse.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Mumbai is a thriving, lively city and the launch of Manchester’s first direct route there is a hugely significant development, which will see the city and wider region grow its links with India’s financial powerhouse. The better connected Manchester and the North is nationally and internationally, the better placed we will be to compete on a world stage, attracting jobs, investment and visitors. This announcement further strengthens Manchester Airport’s status and Manchester’s position as a global hub.”